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Busy dispatch manager planning shipments

Meet Our Latest Hire: A New Dispatch Manager! 

Best Yet Express is always growing. The more customers we serve, the more efficiency becomes a priority. In a busy warehouse and shipping yard, there are so many moving parts to keep track of. To help us continue fulfilling our pledge to provide the best service around, we’ve brought on a new dispatch manager, Keith Oliver.

He’s been in the business for decades, but that’s not the only reason we hired him. Here are a few fun facts about one of the most important behind-the-scenes players on BYX’s team. 

Our new dispatch manager started out as a mail carrier

As a family-owned company with humble beginnings out of the back of a single pickup truck, we admire anyone who works their way up. Keith did just that, starting out as a courier for FedEx Express in Quincy, Illinois back in 1992. Knowing firsthand what it’s like to be behind the wheel is a significant asset when you’re managing drivers day in, and day out. He knows our drivers because he’s been one and that only makes him a better team player.  Read more

Be careful when you drive in the rain

So-Cal Storms Are Risky. Here’s How to Drive in the Rain

Los Angeles drivers get a bad rap for not knowing how to drive in the rain, but that reputation isn’t entirely undeserved. Every time a major storm rolls in the number of accidents on the road rises. Considering more than 3,000 people are killed in car accidents in California each year, driver safety is nothing to scoff at. Driving is such an ordinary, everyday activity that it’s easy to have a false sense of security. We should know since driving is our entire business! 

Being cautious saves lives, and our drivers keep that in mind every time they get behind the wheel. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Plan ahead and change your wet weather driving habits to avoid a slippery fender bender…or worse. These simple tips from truck drivers can help you stay safe, no matter what type of ride you’re in. 

1. Leave early

We know more than anyone how challenging it is to get out the door, through school drop-off lines, and through morning traffic, but rainy days are no time to rush. Leave early, or be late. Get ready at least 30 minutes earlier than usual. If accidents or poor conditions make it impossible to get to your destination on time, so be it. Being late is better than being hospitalized. 

2. Slow down

The speed limit doesn’t apply when you’re driving in a downpour. Apply the “take 5” principle. Drive at least five miles slower than you normally would when it’s raining. If you’re approaching a curve, slow down by another five mph. In heavy traffic, slow down another five. Towing a light trailer? I think you’re sensing the pattern here. Don’t worry about annoying other drivers. Their failure to prepare for slower traffic conditions is not your problem. Avoiding a collision is. 

3. Turn on your headlights anytime you drive in the rain

Heavy rain storm on the road

Even in the middle of the day, flip on those lights. The entire point of headlights is to increase visibility. It doesn’t have to be midnight for adverse weather conditions to obscure visibility on the road. Cloud cover, fog, and heavy rain all make it harder for other drivers to see you, so keep your lights on at all times.

4. Increase your following distance

Wet roads equate to less traction, which means it takes your vehicle longer to come to a stop. In rainy weather, give the car in front of you extra space to allow extra time to brake. The larger your vehicle, the more generous you should be with your following distance. 

5. Give large vehicles a wide berth

Speaking of giving other vehicles space, try to give trucks and busses even more than usual. For one, if a much larger vehicle loses control while you’re hovering in its blind spot, you’re in trouble. Secondly, their large tires disperse more spray, further obscuring your vision if you’re driving dead on their heels. 

6. When you drive in the rain, look out for pedestrians and cyclists

This is for a couple of reasons. Most people aren’t thrilled to wait for the bus in the rain, and they’ll be even less thrilled to get sprayed by a speeding vehicle. It’s also harder to spot pedestrians in the rain, so keep your eyes peeled. Give cyclists extra space, just in case one of you slides on the slick pavement.

7. Don’t drive through standing water

It doesn’t take much water on the road to wash away a vehicle. Even if you drive a truck, driving through flooded roads is a recipe for disaster. At best, you’ll get stuck. At worst, you’ll lose control or end up in much deeper water than you anticipated. It’s not worth the risk.

8. Know what to do if you hydroplane

Starting to slide is a terrifying feeling, but stay calm. When you drive in the rain, braking suddenly or jerking the wheel can easily send your car spinning out of control. Ease up gradually on the gas pedal and steer straight ahead until your vehicle regains traction. 

9. If conditions are unsafe, get off the road

Where do you have to be that’s so important, it’s worth risking your life for? The answer should be nowhere. If the weather conditions feel too dangerous to drive safely, pull off the road as soon as you safely can. Don’t pull over on the side of the road. Just slow down and wait until you find a rest stop or exit to wait out the weather. When in doubt, don’t go out. 

The good news? All our drivers know how to drive in the rain

It’s always possible that wet weather will lead to delays, but we always do our best to complete every pickup and delivery as safely and efficiently as possible. Don’t forget to get a free quote today!

Truck driver who has to undergo marijuana testing

Could Marijuana Testing Impact Shipping Prices? It’s Possible

You might be wondering, “How on Earth is marijuana testing related to how much it costs to move a pallet or two?” At first glance, the two issues seem completely unrelated, but anything that affects the ability of drivers to do their job affects the logistics industry as a whole. In 2022, 41,000 truck drivers tested positive for cannabis. That’s a 32% increase from 2021, and it’s a major problem. 

At the moment, professional drivers can’t use marijuana, period

Anyone who drives trucks or operates heavy machinery is not legally permitted to use marijuana, even when prescribed by a doctor. It’s a hotly debated issue for a number of reasons. There’s no question that cannabis can impair your ability to drive. Unfortunately, unlike alcohol, cannabis is detectable for up to 30 days after use. This is dramatically longer than the duration of the drug’s intoxicating effects, which typically last less than 10 hours. 

Driving under the influence is unacceptable, but there’s no easy way to determine whether a driver who fails a drug test ever drove while high. Because of this, there’s a blanket rule banning all marijuana use by professional truck drivers. 

Marijuana use is worsening the existing truck driver shortage

In some states, including California, the laws regarding marijuana use by drivers don’t match up with changing social norms. In our state, recreational marijuana use is now legal. Most people have accepted it as relatively harmless when used occasionally, similar to how having a glass of wine or two over the weekend is no big deal. Transportation laws, however, have not kept pace with evolving attitudes. 

The shift is so dramatic that many of the drivers who fail drug tests that they deem unfair and discriminatory never complete the required treatment plan and return-to-work process. Out of the 166,000 drivers who have failed a drug test, 91,000 were so put off by the experience that they moved on to other employment options. When that many drivers throw in the towel, finding replacements is a losing battle. This is especially true when new hires are likely to be young, progressive, and unwilling to give up their off-day activities because of an outdated policy. 

Currently, marijuana testing is a federal requirement for truck drivers

It’s not up to trucking companies to decide whether or not to enforce marijuana testing. It’s still federal law, but it’s based on outdated technology that doesn’t match up with modern life. If nothing changes, the driver shortage will likely continue to escalate over the next decade. It goes without saying that operating any vehicle while under the influence of marijuana or other narcotics is unacceptable.

At the same time, drivers aren’t routinely tested for alcohol use or the use of any other substance. Given that fact, why is testing mandatory with a drug that’s legal in many states? 

In our opinion, marijuana testing should be left up to employers

At the moment, there’s a divide between federal law and state law. It’s legal in California to use cannabis, but the federal government still mandates testing. Not even Martha Stewart could write a more perfect lawsuit recipe.

Drug testing with reasonable suspicion is logical. If a truck driver has a pristine driving record and there’s no evidence that they’ve ever shown up to work while under the influence, however, is testing necessary? Considering several recent university studies have shown that U.S. cannabis legalization actually reduced the number of heavy truck accidents in the eight states studied, perhaps a continuation of the war on drugs is off-base. It’s effectively turned into a war on the transportation industry, and on the people it serves – Which is, to say, everyone! 

Ideally, better testing methods will be developed so that it’s possible to tell if drivers used cannabis while on the clock. In the meantime, penalizing them for legal activities they engage in during their off-hours seems unfair. As long as it has no impact on workplace safety and performance, there’s no reason to put thousands of drivers on pause. 

Marijuana testing could lead to elevated prices. Is it worth it?

Mandated testing means fewer drivers on the road. Fewer drivers mean higher demand, and climbing prices to move goods from point A to point B. We’re all for enforcing safe driving practices, but we believe a middle ground is possible. 

If trucking companies were able to determine their own policies, they could elect to test drivers only when given reasonable cause. This might include getting a traffic ticket for a moving violation or receiving an unsafe driving report. Otherwise, we will continue to lose excellent drivers just because they use marijuana responsibly on their time off. That said, this is an issue that affects us all, and safe driving is always the top priority. What do you think? Are testing laws fair, or too extreme?

New BYX COO

BYX Grows Management Team, Welcoming Michael Pearson as COO

BYX, one of SoCal’s premier logistics companies, teams up with new COO Michael Pearson to continue building momentum for growth in 2023

GARDENA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2023 – Best Yet Express, better known as BYX, has served the greater Los Angeles area for over 40 years. After undergoing an expansion to a new, state-of-the-art warehouse, the implementation of a new warehouse management system, and the onboarding of several new team members in 2022, BYX is proud to announce the addition of Michael Pearson as its new COO.

Hailing from Rancho Palos Verdes, Pearson brings an extensive background in the transportation and logistics industry to the table. His results-focused, quality-driven mindset matches the philosophy of BYX to a tee, and his experience speaks for itself. Pearson has a history of excellence in numerous logistics leadership positions, previously serving as the Director of Operations and Compliance for MNX Global Logistics, VP of Americas for B&H, and Executive Vice President of Operations for Alba Wheels Up International. 

“After years of serving as COO of BYX, I was reluctant to hand over the reins to just anyone,” says Lara Press-Newjahr, former COO and current BYX President. “The position requires a unique combination of business acumen and experience in a highly specific industry, and that’s what Michael brings to the table. His contribution gives us an opportunity to leverage last year’s wins, opening new doors to business growth in 2023.”

Pearson’s role began in the last quarter of 2022. He will be reporting to owner and CEO Jay Newjahr, overseeing BYX’s ongoing business operations. This also marks a new era for BYX’s executive team, facilitating improvements in service availability and future expansions. 

For more information about this and other BYX news, visit: https://www.bestyetexpresstrucking.com/ 

Best Yet Express is a trucking and logistics company based in Gardena, California. The company offers a full panel of services including pickups, drop-offs, warehousing, cross-docking, and more, all with competitive pricing and a deep investment in local SoCal businesses. 

Reliable service is a click away! Schedule a shipment or contact us for help today.

Logistics facts

Logistics Facts and eCommerce Stats Everyone Should Know

Did you know the biggest ship in the world could easily transport the Eiffel tower? It’s true, and some of the more practical logistics facts are just as intriguing. The logistics industry is huge, and life as we know it wouldn’t exist without UPS, Amazon delivery drivers, and companies like yours truly. 

The shipping industry is changing, however, and it affects every person who relies on shipping to do business. (Plus, the consumers who shop from them!) Whether you’re a shipper or a shopper, these logistics and eCommerce stats are handy to keep in mind.  Read more

Consumer spending trends

Consumer Spending Forecast: Expect Trends to Continue Until 2024

With 2023 around the corner, business owners are all asking the same question: As inflation continues, what does it mean for us? Consumer trend predictions through the end of 2022 and beyond suggest that consumer spending will remain high for some time. It’s good news, giving us time to prepare for the less predictable years ahead. 

Let’s look at the current consumer spending stats

While complete data isn’t yet available for Q4, monthly consumer spending is trackable. Retail sales through October were elevated 8.3% year-over-year. That figure includes gas and food, but even with those out of the picture, retail alone was up 7.5%. Of course, inflation changes those figures significantly. Adjusted for inflation, however, retail sales were still 0.5% higher than they were this time last year. Spending continues to hover at an almost unprecedented high. Read more

Things to be grateful for

7 Things to Be Grateful for This Holiday Season

The holidays are one of the busiest seasons for business owners and logistics professionals alike. It can be stressful, but there’s also a lot to celebrate. If this year’s holiday rush is stressing you out, take a breather and think about these seven amazing reasons to be grateful this year. 

1. Christmas shopping can be done from your couch. Who wouldn’t be grateful about that?

We’ve gotten so used to this one that we almost forgot how holiday shopping used to work. Black Friday was exclusively an in-person ordeal. Shoppers had to get up at the crack of dawn to camp out in front of Best Buy. There was a literal stampede at Walmart. If you wanted to get the best deals, you had to power through a day standing in line at the mall. Now, you can get the same deals while catching up on Netflix’s latest Christmas specials and snacking on leftover pie. Read more

BYX fleet

5 Things Every BYX Customer Should Know

A lot has changed since BYX was founded over 40 years ago. As times and technology have changed, we’ve changed too. In 2022, we went the extra mile to make sure we live up to our motto: Our goal is to make the lives of our clients easier, one steady shipment at a time. We update our technology and improve our training practices on an ongoing basis to continue offering our customers the best, least stressful logistics services in all of Southern California. 

For a quick recap, here’s what’s new at the end of 2022

More space, more warehousing options

  1. We have a new warehouse
    Our 100,000 sq. ft. racked warehouse facility boasts 32 ft clearance, 23 dock doors, state-of-the-art security cameras, and the latest tech to keep your valuables organized and safe
  2. We’ve updated our fleet
    With over 75 trailers and 45 power units, all with the latest tracking and safety tech, we can service more shipments in less time
  3. We’re offering more storage solutions than ever
    With all that additional space, BYX can now manage both warehousing and shipping needs all under one roof. Streamlined services simplify logistics for our clients, in addition to offering a more flexible and efficient shipping experience
  4. We offer cross docking, transloading, and devanning services
    The entire mission of BYX is to offer the most comprehensive logistics solutions possible. Our job is to make yours easier. In addition to offering fast, competitively priced shipping, we aim to streamline our customers’ supply chains and help their businesses succeed. Less turnover time and lower handling and storage costs are just a few of the perks.
  5. Our team has gone up a size
    With over 65 employees, including some key new managers, we have plenty of hands on deck to ensure reliable service around the clock.

Read more

Tesla semi

The New Tesla Semi Might Be the Biggest Trucking Development in Decades

Whether the cars of the future will be electric or gas-powered used to be up for debate. Not anymore. California is moving to have all new vehicles sold in California be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2035. Not everyone is happy about it since electric vehicles remain less affordable than gas models, but the perks of driving electric are undeniable. Elon Musk recently announced that a new Tesla Semi is in production, and the good news couldn’t have come sooner. 

A quick look at the Tesla Semi’s specs

Originally intended for release in 2019, the Tesla Semi is finally coming out in December 2022. Pepsi is scheduled to have its first Tesla Semi on the road by December 1, and even with the three-year delay, the development is revolutionary. An electric semi is something no company has ever produced, placing Tesla (unsurprisingly) miles ahead of the competition. 

Interestingly, it’s one of Tesla’s most cost-effective vehicles yet. It’s also powerful enough to have real applications in the trucking industry. Reportedly, the new vehicle has the following features: 

  • The ability to haul the largest possible semi-truck payload of 80,000 lbs
  • Enough juice to accelerate 0-60 mph with a full payload in 20 seconds
  • Full highway speeds up a 5% gradient with a full load
  • A battery 8.5 times larger than that of the Model S
  • A range of 500 miles with a full payload
  • Recharging abilities to 70% in 30 minutes

Read more

Jobs in the trucking industry

14 Jobs in the Trucking Industry Other Than Driving

When most people think of jobs in the trucking industry, truck driving is the only one that comes to mind. There are over a dozen other jobs in logistics, however, that do not require a commercial driver’s license. Many of them don’t require applicants to step behind the wheel at all! If you’re curious about career options, keep reading for an overview of some of the most common trucking industry jobs below. 

Note: The salary ranges are sourced from Indeed.com based on national averages. It’s safe to assume they’re higher in areas where the cost of living is higher, like right here in Los Angeles. The most lucrative ones are saved for last! Read more